(Ed. Note: For the complete Scarborough-Marshwood and South Portland-Gorham field hockey game stories, with additional photos, see theforecaster.net)

The fall sports season is underway and while many eyes were trained on the gridiron Friday (see story), soccer, field hockey, volleyball, cross country and golf have also produced some exciting story lines in the early going.

Here’s a glimpse.

Boys’ soccer

Scarborough’s boys’ soccer team opened a season with a loss Friday for the first time since 2001, falling, 1-0, to visiting Deering. That setback ended the Red Storm’s amazing 40-game league regular season unbeaten streak which dated to Sept. 10, 2013 (1-0 to visiting Portland). Scarborough got back on track Tuesday at Sanford, winning, 4-1, to avoid consecutive losses for the first time since Sept. 23 and 25, 2002, when the Red Storm lost at Falmouth and Greely, respectively. Noah Stracqualursi had three goals, while Ryan Barr scored the other. The Red Storm visited Bonny Eagle Thursday and have a huge home showdown with preseason favorite Gorham Tuesday of next week (see theforecaster.net for game story).

South Portland got off a strong start with a 1-0 double overtime home win over Sanford Saturday. Freshman Anthony Perron had the goal. The Red Riots fell to 1-1 Tuesday after a 2-1 home loss to Deering. Charlie Cronin scored the goal. South Portland was at Gorham Thursday and hosts Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth dropped a 1-0 decision at two-time defending Class B champion Yarmouth in its opener. Tuesday, the Capers settled for a 0-0 home draw with powerhouse Falmouth. After hosting North Yarmouth Academy Saturday, Cape Elizabeth is at Poland Tuesday of next week.

In Class D South, Greater Portland Christian School lost its opener, 5-3, at Pine Tree Academy despite goals from Jeremiah Hammond, Micah LaSalle and Jeremy Powers. The Lions visited Seacoast Christian Wednesday, play at Rangeley Saturday and host Rangeley Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

Scarborough’s girls overcame a 1-0 deficit to win, 3-1, at Deering in their opener. The Red Storm got goals from Gabby Panagakos, Ashley Perriello and Natalie Taylor. Tuesday, Scarborough failed to hold a second half lead and settled for a 2-2 home draw with Sanford. Panagakos and Leah Dickman had the goals. The Red Storm hosted Bonny Eagle Thursday and face a key showdown at defending regional champion Gorham Wednesday of next week.

South Portland dropped a tough 4-3 decision at Sanford in its opener Saturday. Juliana Selser had a pair of goals and Callie O’Brien also scored.

“Another five minutes and we would have tied,” said South Portland coach Jeff Selser. “We were on a roll after a slow start. We played great except for four defensive letdowns.”

The Red Riots hoped to get in the win column Wednesday at Deering. After hosting Gorham Friday, South Portland goes to Bonny Eagle Wednesday of next week.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth suffered a 5-1 home loss to powerhouse Yarmouth in its first game. The Capers took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Sarah Knupp, then surrendered five unanswered tallies. Cape Elizabeth fell to 0-2 Tuesday after a 2-1 loss at Falmouth. The Capers visited Lake Region Thursday and host Poland Tuesday of next week.

In Class D South, GPCS started strong by downing host Pine Tree Academy, 2-1, behind goals from Madi Gant and Courtney Spaulding. The Lions go to Rangeley Saturday and host Rangeley Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Scarborough’s field hockey team has made plenty of history in recent years, but last week, the Red Storm made some history they would just as soon forget, starting 0-2 for the first time since 2003 after losing at home to Marshwood (4-1) and at Massabesic (2-1). Against the Hawks, Scarborough allowed standout Hannah Costin to score three times and despite a second half goal from Lauren Topchik, fell short.

“We got owned,” said Red Storm coach Kerry Mariello. “We took a knockout punch. That’s what we were dealt. They’re an outstanding team, obviously. We made a lot of mistakes and they outplayed us in every category. There’s not a whole lot you can do with a player like (Costin).It’s a speed factor and speed wins. She has speed, poise, composure and execution.”

Against the Mustangs, Cara Reynolds gave the Red Storm an early lead, but they couldn’t hold on.

“The only good thing I can say is that it’s early,” Mariello said. “We have a lot to work on. It’s a humbling feeling, it’s not something we’re used to. It’s the end (of the season) that matters. We’ll bounce back.”

Scarborough hoped to get in the win column Wednesday when it hosted Deering. The Red Storm goes to Gorham Friday and welcomes Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week. 

South Portland started with a 6-0 home loss to Gorham.

“It’s disappointing,” said Red Riots coach Leslie Dyer. “It didn’t work out the way we wanted. We have so much potential. The girls know they need to earn it.” 

South Portland then lost, 3-0, at Marshwood Saturday. The Red Riots hoped to get in the win column Wednesday when Cheverus paid a visit. After going to Deering Friday, South Portland is at Bonny Eagle Thursday of next week.

“We have some work to do,” Dyer said. “We need to get the hunger from within. We need to react.”

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth opened with a 4-0 home loss to Freeport. After going to Fryeburg Academy Thursday and visiting Gray-New Gloucester Monday, the Capers return home Wednesday of next week to battle Greely.

Volleyball 

A new volleyball season is underway and Scarborough lost at Greely in a rematch of last year’s Class A state final, 3-0 (22-25, 15-25, 15-25). The Red Storm got in the win column Tuesday, downing visiting South Portland, 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-11). Asia Mattress had eight kills. Scarborough was at Thornton Academy Thursday and welcomes Windham Tuesday of next week.

South Portland earned a scintillating 3-2 (25-19, 14-25, 28-26, 27-29, 16-14) win over visiting Cheverus in its opener. After losing at Scarborough Tuesday, 3-1 (25-21, 19-25, 17-25, 11-25), despite 16 assists from Kayla Brown and 10 kills from Molly Mawhinney, the Red Riots welcomed Cape Elizabeth Thursday. They play at Gorham Tuesday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth started with a 3-0 (23-25, 13-25, 18-25) loss at Falmouth, then got in the win column Tuesday with a 3-2 (25-13, 25-20, 16-25, 24-26, 15-11) home victory over Windham. The Capers were at South Portland Thursday and play at Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Cape Elizabeth’s cross country team hosted Gray-New Gloucester, Lake Region, Maine Coast Waldorf School and Yarmouth in a regular season opening meet last weekend. The Capers boys were second to the Clippers and were paced by Mac Huffard, who had the third-best individual time (16 minutes, 46 seconds). The girls’ team was also runner-up to Yarmouth and was paced by third-place individual Kelsey Kennedy (19:59).

The SMAA regular season begins Friday. South Portland will join Cheverus and Windham at Marshwood and Scarborough (along with Biddeford and Portland) runs at Massabesic. 

Golf

The golf season is also underway. Defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth blanked Wells (7-0), Scarborough lost to Cheverus (10.5-2.5) and beat South Portland (13-0) and South Portland beat Deering (8-5) and lost to Portland (11-2) and Scarborough (13-0).

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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Scarborough’s Cara Reynolds brings the ball up the field during last week’s 4-1 home loss to Marshwood.

South Portland sophomore Kaylee Whitten fires a shot during last week’s 6-0 home loss to Gorham in the regular season opener.

Cape Elizabeth’s Mac Huffard and Jack Bassett compete at last week’s home meet. The Capers were second as a team, while Huffard placed third and Bassett finished fourth.

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